Brazil lives up post match rating
... Struggles against US
The Brazilian war machine rallied from behind to upturn what look like a possible American victory in the finals of the Confederation Cup played in Johannesburg, South Africa Sunday.
It was the Americans who drew first blood in the first half after outwitting the Brazilian defence. The resultant strike cleanly beat the Brazilian keeper who simply had no answer for the intelligent ‘sucker punch'.
The Brazilians came back into the game probing for an opener which did not come. Midway into the first half the Americans were on song again, building up beautifully and the finisher, spotting Jersey No. 10 made no mistake with the strike sent the Brazilian keeper the wrong way for the second goal of the match.
From that time on, it was like the United States which had suffered a 1-0 defeat in the hands of the Brazilians when the competition started were in killing mood and ready for revenge.
Barely had play resumed in the second half than the Brazilians, giants in their own right, tucked in an early goal, signalling it was not business as usual.
As the game progressed and the Brazilians piled more pressure, it was just a matter of time before the equalizer which well deserved came.
Thoughts of the match going into extra time were similarly buried against the run of play Brazil made no mistake of lurking chance which came its way at the nick if time. The resultant strike made it three for the Brazilians and two for the Americans who indeed had surprised the world with the recovery in the final stages of the competition.
America may have lost, but they earned respect across the world, at last serving notice they too have joined the big league of footballing nations.
